Tulsa World: Martinson loses seat by 18 votes; Westcott survives

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Martinson loses seat by 18 votes; Westcott survives

District 2 Councilor Rick Westcott tickles his grandson, Noah McClain, 9, at the watch party Tuesday. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 9/9/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 9/9/2009 10:05 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

City Councilor Rick Westcott survived his re-election bid Tuesday, but Bill Martinson fell victim to one of the blazing campaigns waged against several incumbents by Tulsa firefighters.

Chris Trail won Martinson's seat by a scant 18 votes in the District 5 Republican primary, according to unofficial results from the Tulsa County Election Board.

Westcott defeated Bart Rhoades by about 150 votes to retain his seat in the District 2 Republican primary.

The firefighters targeted Martinson and Westcott because they wanted additional time as the city's most recent spending plan was being written to consider a proposal by Martinson to cut the police and fire departments' budgets. Firefighters have said that would have led to drastic manpower losses. The proposal ultimately didn't move forward.

"I'm not so sure I really lost in this deal," Martinson told the Tulsa World on Tuesday night after the outcome appeared final. "Tulsa is the one that lost."

Martinson, Westcott and Councilor Eric Gomez held a joint watch party at the Celebrity Club.

"I feel sorry for my supporters," said Martinson, who has held the seat since 2005.

"I really had some good, heartfelt support. I'm disappointed that turnout was as light as it was, but basically we get the government we deserve," he said.

"I personally don't think Trail is qualified to be on the City Council, but we are where we are," he said.

Martinson said he will not seek a recount.

Trail, who has a history of legal troubles, acknowledged that the firefighters played a large role in getting him elected.

"The first thing I told the firefighters is if I get your endorsement, I'm not going to be your yes-man; I'm going to listen to the people of District 5," Trail said during his watch party at the business he operates, Ike's Chili.

Trail said the firefighters respected his stance "because their biggest cry is just to have someone that they can communicate and work with at City Hall."

Trail carried 13 of 23 precincts and the in-person absentee vote, but the count was close throughout the district. Two precincts, in fact, were split down the middle.

Trail's biggest margins were 51-15 in Precinct 154, in the vicinity of 35th Street and Garnett Road, and 61-31, around Sheridan Road and 31st Street. Martinson's best results were in precincts further south and east.

In District 2, Westcott said his win is "a demonstration of confidence from the voters of District 2, and I don't take that lightly; it means a great deal to me."

"I will continue to work hard for my constituents for the next two years. I will continue to be a conservative voice and try to do my part to solve the problems that the city of Tulsa is going to be facing in the next two years," Westcott said.

Westcott carried 10 of 17 precincts and won both the in-person and mailed absentee ballots. He prevailed by a 95-vote margin in Precinct 146 in far southwest Tulsa.

Rhoads carried seven precincts, but none by more than 20 votes.

The firefighters also may have been responsible for the victory of their supporter, District 8 Republican Councilor Bill Christiansen, who captured 50 percent of the vote to defeat Phil Lakin, who had 46 percent and Scott Grizzle, with 3 percent.

"Obviously, I had a lot less money to spend than my opponent," Christiansen said.

Lakin raised $60,000 in contributions to Christiansen's nearly $45,000, but most of Lakin's contributions came from midtown and outside of Tulsa.

"Honestly, I tried to do the best job I could for the citizens of District 8, and I'm indebted to them for allowing me to continue in office. The citizens got it right," Christiansen said.

He pointed out Lakin's association with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, saying the reality is that "as a public official, you can't have a conflict of interest or even the appearance of one."

"Even though Mr. Kaiser has done a terrific job for the city of Tulsa, I think there would have been the potential for conflict," he said.

Christiansen carried 12 of 21 precincts, split another and won a majority of the absentee ballots. He did particularly well in precincts along the 91st Street corridor.

The victors of the District 2, 5 and 8 Republican primaries will be seated because no Democrats or independents filed for the seats.

In the other two council races, voters advanced candidates from each party who will face off in the general election.

District 4 Republican Councilor Eric Gomez defeated challenger Rocky Frisco, taking 55 percent of the votes.

"I'm pleased to have support of the primary voters, and now we go to work," Gomez said.

Democrat Maria Barnes, a former councilor, won her District 4 primary against Elizabeth Wright, a member of the city's planning board, by taking nearly 69 percent of the votes.

Barnes said as a candidate, "you're always concerned. I hit every door — Republican, Democrat or independent."

District 6 Councilor Dennis Troyer defeated Mario Choice with 79 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary.

Troyer said low voter turnout in primary races historically raises concerns for a candidate, especially when a party's mayoral candidate has no real opposition.

"We'll be out working hard, knocking on doors and telling people what we've accomplished for District 6," Troyer said. "We'll be telling the truth."

Republican Jim Mautino, a former councilor, defeated Tadd Weese, taking 61 percent of the vote in the District 6 GOP primary.

"I got a lot of work ahead of me. I'll keep doing what I've been doing, talking to the people," Mautino said. "A lot of people are concerned about what's going on in the city."

In the city auditor's race, Preston Doerflinger advanced out of the Republican primary, easily defeating Lynn Ruemler with 69 percent of the vote.

Doerflinger will face Democratic incumbent Phil Wood in the November general election.

World staff writer Randy Krehbiel contributed to this story.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Martinson falls to Trail in District 5; Westcott prevails in District 2," which was published on 9/8/2009.

	Report Comment tbgalileo, Tulsa (9/8/2009 9:29:54 PM) "Tulsa is the one that lost" Wow Martinson, ever heard of loosing gracefully? Basically, you're saying that the City deserves something bad because you didn't win. How childish.
	Report Comment Centrist, Owasso (9/8/2009 9:31:41 PM) Wow, now that's unsportsmanship conduct. Normally a candidate or incumbent would congratulate his opponent that won. Perhaps he needs some take some time off from politics.
	Report Comment no1special, (9/8/2009 9:32:19 PM) The sad thing is the Democrats in this district had no say at all. Trail is a nice guy it seems, but I agree he has very few qualifications to help run a city. He did have HUGE support from the firefighters. Those guys walked the streets in Tulsa Fire T-shirts and gave a sign to anyone who would have one. They were on my street several times. Never saw Martinson or a supporter.I wish them both well. The fact is there were no good candidates in district 5.
	Report Comment rw, (9/8/2009 9:32:43 PM) Think the TW is forgetting how Martinson won last time. He won by almost the same as he lost by this time. It was also found that a number of people who voted didn't live in District 5. Wonder if he tries to talk down the need for a recount like he did when he won. I doubt it.
	Report Comment rememberme?, (9/8/2009 9:40:08 PM) a vote that close triggers an automatic recount anyways. Trail is a fire union toadie now that is obvious. Martinson needs to get that recount and get back in office.
	Report Comment okkevin, Tulsa (9/8/2009 9:41:16 PM) What a sore loser. I personally don't think anyone on the city council right now is fit to be there. This shows the true power of the people to take out the garbage.
	Report Comment Shirley S, (9/8/2009 9:45:18 PM) What...no mention of Bill Christiansen beating Phil Lakin?! For once $$$ didn't buy the election! Good job south Tulsa.
	Report Comment eye-onu, (9/8/2009 9:46:40 PM) Bye Bye Martinson. Take your tonka toys and your scrooged out attitude to another town. No one will miss you.
	Report Comment tulsaworker1, (9/8/2009 9:59:46 PM) You can hang Martinson out to dry but he is quite correct is saying that Tulsa lost. He has been the only councilor to look at hard numbers and offer alternatives not political platitudes. He was defeated by an organized effort of fire fighters, probably none of which lived in the district let alone the city. Wonder if he will find it tragic when everything he predicts comes to pass.
	Report Comment rememberme?, (9/8/2009 10:07:37 PM) we have a great chance in the fall now to get Mautino back in office and kick that poseur troyer to the curb...he can help the county build windmills. unfortunately frisco didn't get the repub nomination, but there is still a chance to rid ourselves of developer patsy gomez....vote for Dora the Explorer!
	Report Comment osuk8e, Tulsa (9/8/2009 10:08:33 PM) Na na na na.....na na na na na...hey hey hey...goodbye! Looks like the grass will get a little longer now that he's out. :)
	Report Comment moogle, Tulsa (9/8/2009 10:18:15 PM) Is that Otis from Mayberry?
	Report Comment rememberme?, (9/8/2009 10:23:02 PM) no, just your friendly neighborhood "fixer"
	Report Comment candyandnuts, (9/8/2009 10:25:09 PM) Nice to see that Martinson stayed true to his gameplan to the end -- complain and moan and whine about everybody else. What an incredibly bitter person, and what a sore loser! I live in District 5 and voted for him last time around and would have voted for just about ANY one running for ANY district rather than him this time. What a nasty little disappointment he turned out to be.
	Report Comment wowser, (9/8/2009 10:45:10 PM) Martinson, What a whine bag. All he wants is a conflict. He thrives off of it. Atleast the firefighters stood up for what they believe. You heard alot of people complaining about them but you did not see them out walking the streets and talking to people for the candidate they wanted. You did not see police officers, street department employees, Parks employees, or any othe city employees walking the streets. Atleast the firefighters had the guts to stand up for themselves and fight for what they believe. Which is what I am sure all of you teach your children to do. So don't blame them. I applaud them.
	Report Comment Fromtheright, Tulsa (9/8/2009 10:50:50 PM) When Martinson started proposing HUGE new City tax and spending projects he lost much of his District 5 Republican support. I live in this not so rich District and my dear wife and I agreed it was time for Martinson to go and voted accordingly. Martinson also did nothing to stop millions of dollars in City money being used to run empty buses all day long.
	Report Comment QLC, (9/8/2009 11:08:53 PM) Thaat's funny thunder, i thought you were talking about westcott until i finally read the district 5 thing. but the crimes are about the same. for the lack of a few votes, i still have a liar representing me in my district. but i am confident that he is happy as long as he won, by any margin. i should have worked harder for rhoades. both districts got what they deserved.
	Report Comment QLC, (9/8/2009 11:13:05 PM) who is going to run Ike's?
	Report Comment Fromtheright, Tulsa (9/8/2009 11:22:16 PM) For major's race we now have a smirky Democrat and a Taylor loving RHINO (Republican in name only). Same old same old.
	Report Comment no1special, (9/8/2009 11:26:09 PM) Wow Thunder I usually do not agree with you but it looks as if Chris does have a shady past according to OSCN. The thing that bothers me the most is the protective order filed by his wife. Dismissed or not, it was filed and granted for a while. I am worried about this guy. Convicted of driving with out a current license plate and with out insurance.... not okay from a public official. I know you can get caught with out one in the car, but you can show it later and they dismiss if you do and he was convicted. The speeding tickets do not bother me so much. No one is perfect but gee whiz I am going to be paying this guys salary? I hope he proves me wrong. Typical Republican who runs on conservative values I guess.
	Report Comment enligtenedone, (9/8/2009 11:52:12 PM) Have to agree with being concerned about Trail. If he had shown a little more tact and wasn't so honest in his beliefs, Martinson would have won. Trail sounds like a major loser and a crook. He could do some damage in the 2 years he is going to serve. I think there should be a recount, fingers crossed.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (9/9/2009 4:07:41 AM) Will this district seat lead to more Four Alarm Fire by the Chili Department. Stay tuned for more of "Who Pushed Timmy in the Oh Well"
	Report Comment tbgalileo, Tulsa (9/9/2009 6:11:29 AM) Martinson could have easily beat Trail if he had run a less offensive campaign. He tried to ban anyone from running against him, ban citizens from campaigning against him, and based his entire message on negative attack ads that were entirely personal. Martinson tried to control the democratic process rather than work within it, and it just cost him his job.
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (9/9/2009 6:13:49 AM) Happy Trails to Billy
	Report Comment peelumba, (9/9/2009 6:54:11 AM) Adelson for mayor!

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